We Found the Best Store-Bought Hummus—It Tastes Homemade

Costco is fun to explore because it stocks such a good mix of pantry staples and culinary finds. I can pick up the best potato chips of all time (Kettle's Krinkle Cut Pink Salt) and affordable Rao's pasta sauce, and in a neighboring aisle, find a tub of fancy Maldon sea salt for $6.99.

On a recent trip to my local warehouse, I was delighted to find XL tubs of incredible hummus from the Minneapolis company Baba’s. The editors at Simply Recipes sampled it at a recent food industry show, fell in love with the brand, and sent me straight to Costco to sample the hummus myself.

While currently only available at Twin Cities-area Costco stores, this hummus is well worth seeking out if you live in the area. It’s super creamy, with balanced flavors and none of the bitter aftertaste that I sometimes find with other hummus brands. 

What Is Baba’s Hummus?

Baba’s was started by two Palestinian American siblings using a family recipe. It was first created by their baba (that's "dad" in Arabic) for the Minneapolis restaurant he opened in the 1970s. At the time, it was one of the only Middle Eastern restaurants in the city. 

The family started packaging Baba’s hummus in 2018, and the brand has become so popular that, in addition to nine flavors of hummus, they now make several other products, including frozen falafel, tzatziki, and the most amazing pita puffs (aka mini pita breads). 

The hummus is by far my favorite because it’s minimally processed, vegan, and contains only a few ingredients: chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, water, salt, garlic, and organic citric acid. That's it.

Baba's makes the creamiest hummus I have ever tried, thanks to the generous amount of tahini that’s included. The flavor is balanced, with a subtle acidity that lets the earthy chickpeas shine. 

How I Eat Baba’s Hummus

Though Baba’s hummus is delicious with traditional accompaniments like pita chips and crunchy vegetables, I find myself eating a plain spoonful when that 3 p.m. snack craving hits. It’s a perfect salty bite, plus it’s a great source of protein.

I've also been taking inspiration from the Baba’s Hummus House menu, making a hummus bowl for lunch every day this week. My current favorite is a big swoosh of hummus in a shallow bowl, topped with a big handful of arugula, some chicken meatballs, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, a generous drizzle of olive oil, and a squirt of lemon juice.

The hummus is also perfect for easy cooking and entertaining this time of year. I serve hummus under grilled or roasted vegetables like carrots or zucchini, as part of a mezze spread with olives, pita chips, and other dips, or as an accompaniment to grilled chicken skewers and a big Greek salad with romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta. 

Where To Find Baba’s Hummus

Look for 34-ounce tubs of hummus at Costco locations in Minnesota and Kansas.

If you don’t live in the Midwest, I still have good news: Baba’s is available in a normal-sized 10-ounce container at select Target stores and some local grocers. Costco only has the traditional hummus, but Baba’s does make a number of other flavored hummus and spreads (the caramelized onion hummus is unbelievable).

Check the deli area at your grocery store—meanwhile, I’m heading back to Costco.

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